With all the fat, sweet, snarling Les Paul tone that purists love, the new Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional Pro II sports a mahogany body with a thick maple cap for the perfect blend of warmth and clarity. The top is finished in high-gloss lacquer, while the back, sides, and neck have a smooth satin finish that feels great and lets the wood resonate fully. Each Les Paul Traditional also comes with Gibson USA's standard black snakeskin case.

Period-Correct PickguardThe creme-colored pickguard has been a Les Paul staple dating back to the models of the late 1950s and the early 1960s. Many players, however, removed the pickguard from their Les Pauls to show off the beauty of the flame maple tops, prompting Gibson to stop installing the pickguard altogether. During the 1980s and 1990s, Gibson began reinstalling the pickguard in the factory, and the Les Pauls from this era once again arrived in stores bearing the classic, creme-colored pickguard. The Les Paul Traditional comes equipped with a period-correct pickguard, designed to protect the maple top.

Pickups: Neck - '57 Classic; Bridge - Super '57Among the qualities that make Gibson's original "Patent Applied For" humbucking pickups so unique are the subtle variations between coil windings. For the first few years of their productions—1955 to 1961—Gibson's PAF humbuckers were wound using imprecise machines, resulting in pickups with slightly different output and tone. The '57 Classic and Super '57 pickups are the result of Gibson's drive to capture and recreate this characteristic. Introduced in 1992, the '57 Classic at the neck provides warm, full tone with a balanced response, packing that classic Gibson PAF humbucker crunch, inspired by those original PAFs that received a few extra turns of wire. The Super '57 bridge pickup debuts in the Trad Pro with a wider frequency response and increased output.

Both are made by Gibson to the exact same specs as the original PAFs, including Alnico II magnets, nickel-plated pole pieces, nickel slugs, maple spacers, and vintage-style, 2-conductor braided wiring. Gibson added poly-coated wiring, which improves consistency by eliminating thick or thin spots on the wiring, and wax potting, which removes all internal air space and any chance of microphonic feedback.

Both pickups offer coil splitting for single-coil sounds and a boost circuit via push/push switching in the volume controls. “Straight Split” coil-splitting offers pure single coil tone and differs from LP Standards and Studios that have a “Super Tap” coil-tap, which still has a small amount of humbucking. The boost circuit has a user-adjustable 10-dB boost for added power and frequency range for solos, single-note picking and dirty chording (depending on amp settings) and features true bypass that disengages the boost completely, ensuring pure passive Les Paul tone.

Revolutionary Plek Set UpThe Les Paul Traditional is the first model from Gibson USA to utilize the revolutionary Plek machine in setting up the guitar. The Plek is a German-made, computer-controlled machine that carefully measures each fret, along with the fingerboard height under each string, and then automatically dresses each fret, virtually eliminating string buzz and greatly improving the overall playability of the guitar. This pioneering process does in minutes what it takes a luthier several hours—sometimes even days—to accomplish. Every fret is accurately aligned, and the guitar is properly intonated, leaving the instrument "Plek'd" and amazingly playable.

Antique BindingTo see the process of putting the binding on the Les Paul Traditional is to really appreciate the effort and attention that Gibson puts into each instrument. A lone craftsman will carefully glue and fit 2 pieces of binding around the entire body of a Les Paul. He then winds a single, very long piece of narrow cloth around the entire body until the entire surface is nearly covered. The body is then hung to dry for a full 24 hours before it is unwrapped and moved into the next phase of production. It has been done the same way for over 100 years. Some question the value of adding binding, but Gibson believes it is a fundamental part of our rich guitar-making history. The binding adds elegance to the Les Paul Standard, and helps protect the edges of the body. The neck binding is installed over the fret ends, which eliminates sharp fret edges and provides for a smooth neck and easier playability.

Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options.

FEATURES

A user-adjustable 10-dB boost for added power and frequency range for solos, single-note picking and dirty chording (depending on amp settings)

This Guitar defines the very best about what Gibson can build when they try.

Can't find the exact one word to describe the Tone of this guitar as it is that...Read complete review

This Guitar defines the very best about what Gibson can build when they try.

Can't find the exact one word to describe the Tone of this guitar as it is that good but...

Sustain Sustain Sustain and then some...along with sun shining Warmth,Fatness,Crunch,Snarl..its all in there.

The new Super Bridge P/up is very very nice and will give you Zeppelin,Kossoff or Gary Moore Blues.

Mine has some flame which highlights beautifully at angles or light.. with a impeccable finish over the whole guitar including nitro,binding,tuners,switches,knobs etc.

This is the very first Gibson Les Pauls of 5 I own or have had previously that actually stays in tune and is very stable even after days of sitting in the case.

No innotation work was required,nut is perfect and ping free..along with a nice low action and no hint of fret buzz at all.

10DB boost switch is a nice feature particuarly when used with the split Coils.

Also if you take the battery out of the back...the 10db Boost Knob becomes a Kill Switch which is a nice option.

I Love the new Push Push switches compared to my 2012 Gibson Standard Push Pull as they are so easy to use and you can see what position they are in as they stay raised higher from the body if you are say in split coil mode.

50's neck is just right for me and sits in between my Bonamassa 50's Baseball bat and the 2012 Standard neck.

I know picking the right Gibson guitar can be confusing sometimes with so many choices and models but belive me my friends that this guitar is a killer.

I don't know why this model seems to come out of the Gibson factory so consistently well in its quality and sound based on all the other comments about the Trad Pro 11 on this site and my own experience.

A absolute must have and would suggest a steal for the price!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Poor electronics

The battery powered switch system is a joke. The battery pack in the back requires tapping to stop the static. To get the battery out is very difficult. Poor engineering for a high...Read complete review

The battery powered switch system is a joke. The battery pack in the back requires tapping to stop the static. To get the battery out is very difficult. Poor engineering for a high priced guitar.

I have had many guitars. So far 3 Les Paul. This one with the spilit coils give a great sound on or off! The locking Grover tuners are just a added plus to this guitar! I would recommend this guitar to my friends!

This guitar is awesome. The reason I dinged a star was that it had some serious issues right out of the box which have been fixed. The nut looked like it was made by a 5 year old. The slots weren't deep enough to hold the strings in place when changing strings and it was perfect rectangular. It did not slope back like the nuts on my faded LP Studio or my LP Standard. I expect some setup tweaking with a new guitar, but the neck was so bowed it looked like a ski jump and it would fret out with bends from the 12 fret up. This also caused an intonation problem on the bass E string.

Fortunately these issues were addressed at no cost to me by my local luthier who is Gibson authorized. Normally setup isn't covered under warranty, but I guess it was such an extreme problem here that they made an exception. Thank you Gibson for that!

After all of that was taken care of, I can say this guitar is incredible. The tone of the pickups is amazing...a great vintage sound. The look of the ebony finish with the zebra uncovered pickups is just pure class. The sustain is just amazing, more so than on my Standard (60's neck). Once the truss rod was properly tweaked, the action could be brought down nice and low with no fret buzz. VERY playable!

I was surprised that the guitar did not feel heavier. It's a bit heavier than my LP Standard, but I can still stand for hours with it and not encounter fatigue.

The 50's style neck feels good in my hands...like I've got somthing substantial to hold onto. I don't perfer the 50's or 60's...each has the benefits, to me they are just different.

Tuning stability is fantastic, though I've learned with Gibson LPs to put some graphite in the nut with each string change to prevent binding. The vintage looking locking tuners are fabulous. Locking tuners make string changes and absolute breeze!

I like the push/push style switches for switching between humbucker and coil tap mode. It is much easier than having to grab the knob and pull up.

***BE SURE TO HAVE THE SWITCH IN THE UP POSITION WHEN REMOVING THE KNOBS, OTHERWISE YOU WILL BREAK THE SWITCH***. You've been warned...don't ask how I learned this :).

The only niggle on the craftsmanship is the fit and finish of the binding along the neck...it's not perfectly smooth like on my Standard and it looks sloppy. I expected better. Fortunately it doesn't affect playing.

Awesome guitar! If you're shopping for a Les Paul, stop here and don't entertain the thought of paying more than twice as much for a Standard or even 1.5 times as much for the Traditional. This guitar is every bit on par with those and is much better deal. This is my most expensive guitar and the confidence I have in Musician's Friend is the reason I bought it online. I got it during the President's Day sale.

After I ordered (but before it was delivered) it I walked into my local guitar store (this is an exclusive model so you probably know which) to look at one they got in stock. I was disappointed and had buyer's remorse because the guitar had a pretty plain top (no flames). I left there bummed but looking forward to UPS showing up.

Then my guitar arrived. I opened the case and saw an awesome looking flametop Les Paul in Cherry Burst. I was so happy. I was even more ecstatic when I put the strap on it and plugged it in. It has an incredible sound and endless sustain (it's a heavy guitar). The setup was perfect right out of the box, with the low action I prefer The workmanship is flawless.

This is a lifetime purchase (and just in the nick of time because Gibson seems to have lost their mind with their pricing, putting most of their instruments out of range of people who'd like to own one). I don't plan on ever getting rid of it, and unless sanity returns to the company, it is sadly my last Gibson.

I just checked and these things are still in stock and on sale. Don't pass it up if you're looking for a Les Paul. It's bound to be double the cost soon.

I've spent a couple weeks now with this guitar, and cannot find anything at all to complain about. The finish is perfect, the setup was excellent out of the box, and the tones - wow! The pickups are sweet, with shimmering highs and punchy lows. The coil-splitting offers a different palette of sounds, and are still pretty quiet, very little single coil hum. The boost circuit adds clarity to clean tones, and just enough punch to overdriven tones.This guitar has convinced me that Gibson's Plek system is a major advance in guitar technology. There is no buzz on any fret, and the action is fast and smooth. Thanks to Derek at MF for hooking me up with this beauty!

I looked at most every guitar in this class. I decided to spend more to get more and more is what I got, lots more.The Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro-11 Gold Top is amazing, looks and sound, a beautiful finish, exceptional tone, easy and fun to play. I'm very happy with my investment, I'll keep it for a long, long time, maybe forever.

I have always played a telecaster and a 335. I wanted a Les Paul for the sustain and overall tone of that guitar.I use a Keeley compressor,in front of a Analogman King of Tone.Then I use the Way Huge SupaPuss.Wow..SUSTAIN..this is it.I love this guitar because it has all the features I want,pulse the build quality is fantastic.I would love to have a Custom Shop 57 Les Paul,but I am a player.I needed Les Paul that sounds great for less money. This is it.I bought the Merlot,with the 50's neck. Perfect for me. Love this color...I love the open coils on a Les Paul. Very clean notes with lots of definition.I play Blues and Jazz.I use this guitar through a 4X10 cab loaded with Celestion Gold speakers.I am very happy with this guitar.

I've owned more guitars then I'd like to admit. I'm always looking for the right guitar, right sound, right feel and I'm very picky. The guitar has to sound strong from the amp, and has to sound strong acoustically. This is my 6th Les Paul I've owned, and one I will never let go of. I challenge you to put this up against a classic or a standard... you will be surprised.

Incredible instrument. some of the best les paul features combined onto one guitar. and some new, modern additions that just take it over the top. the paf style pickups are wonderful, the playability is second to none. gorgeous fit and finish. i cant believe i got mine for the price that i got it for. after 27 years of pickin and grinnin, im in heaven

{"id": "H88456",
"categoryId":"site1AAG",
"name":"Les Paul Traditional Pro II &#39;50s Neck Electric Guitar",
"pageUrl":"/guitars/gibson-les-paul-traditional-pro-ii-50s-neck-electric-guitar",
"thumbnailUrl":"http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/Les-Paul-Traditional-Pro-II-50s-Neck-Electric-Guitar-Inverness-Green/H88456000002000-00-120x120.jpg",
"addToCartUrl":"/guitars/gibson-les-paul-traditional-pro-ii-50s-neck-electric-guitar",
"hasFeatures":"0",
"isAccessory":"0",
"message":"Taking design and visual cues from the Les Pauls of the &#39;80s and &#39;90s, the Les Paul Traditional Pro II features powerful pickups with push/push for coil splits and boost circuit, &#39;50s neck profile, Grover locking tuners, antique binding, period-correct pickguard, vintage Gibson top hat knobs, and the revolutionary Plek set up.<br /><br />With all the fat, sweet, snarling Les Paul tone that purists love, the new Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional Pro II sports a mahogany body with a thick maple cap for the perfect blend of warmth and clarity. The top is finished in high-gloss lacquer, while the back, sides, and neck have a smooth satin finish that feels great and lets the wood resonate fully. Each Les Paul Traditional also comes with Gibson USA&#39;s standard black snakeskin case.<br /><br /><strong>Period-Correct Pickguard</strong><br />The creme-colored pickguard has been a Les Paul staple dating back to the models of the late 1950s and the early 1960s. Many players, however, removed the pickguard from their Les Pauls to show off the beauty of the flame maple tops, prompting Gibson to stop installing the pickguard altogether. During the 1980s and 1990s, Gibson began reinstalling the pickguard in the factory, and the Les Pauls from this era once again arrived in stores bearing the classic, creme-colored pickguard. The Les Paul Traditional comes equipped with a period-correct pickguard, designed to protect the maple top.<br /><br /><strong>Pickups: Neck - &#39;57 Classic; Bridge - Super &#39;57</strong><br />Among the qualities that make Gibson&#39;s original &#34;Patent Applied For&#34; humbucking pickups so unique are the subtle variations between coil windings. For the first few years of their productions—1955 to 1961—Gibson&#39;s PAF humbuckers were wound using imprecise machines, resulting in pickups with slightly different output and tone. The &#39;57 Classic and Super &#39;57 pickups are the result of Gibson&#39;s drive to capture and recreate this characteristic. Introduced in 1992, the &#39;57 Classic at the neck provides warm, full tone with a balanced response, packing that classic Gibson PAF humbucker crunch, inspired by those original PAFs that received a few extra turns of wire. The Super &#39;57 bridge pickup debuts in the Trad Pro with a wider frequency response and increased output.<br /><br />Both are made by Gibson to the exact same specs as the original PAFs, including Alnico II magnets, nickel-plated pole pieces, nickel slugs, maple spacers, and vintage-style, 2-conductor braided wiring. Gibson added poly-coated wiring, which improves consistency by eliminating thick or thin spots on the wiring, and wax potting, which removes all internal air space and any chance of microphonic feedback.<br /><br />Both pickups offer coil splitting for single-coil sounds and a boost circuit via push/push switching in the volume controls. “Straight Split” coil-splitting offers pure single coil tone and differs from LP Standards and Studios that have a “Super Tap” coil-tap, which still has a small amount of humbucking. The boost circuit has a user-adjustable 10-dB boost for added power and frequency range for solos, single-note picking and dirty chording (depending on amp settings) and features true bypass that disengages the boost completely, ensuring pure passive Les Paul tone.<br /><br /><strong>Revolutionary Plek Set Up</strong><br />The Les Paul Traditional is the first model from Gibson USA to utilize the revolutionary Plek machine in setting up the guitar. The Plek is a German-made, computer-controlled machine that carefully measures each fret, along with the fingerboard height under each string, and then automatically dresses each fret, virtually eliminating string buzz and greatly improving the overall playability of the guitar. This pioneering process does in minutes what it takes a luthier several hours—sometimes even days—to accomplish. Every fret is accurately aligned, and the guitar is properly intonated, leaving the instrument &#34;Plek&#39;d&#34; and amazingly playable.<br /><br /><strong>Antique Binding</strong><br />To see the process of putting the binding on the Les Paul Traditional is to really appreciate the effort and attention that Gibson puts into each instrument. A lone craftsman will carefully glue and fit 2 pieces of binding around the entire body of a Les Paul. He then winds a single, very long piece of narrow cloth around the entire body until the entire surface is nearly covered. The body is then hung to dry for a full 24 hours before it is unwrapped and moved into the next phase of production. It has been done the same way for over 100 years. Some question the value of adding binding, but Gibson believes it is a fundamental part of our rich guitar-making history. The binding adds elegance to the Les Paul Standard, and helps protect the edges of the body. The neck binding is installed over the fret ends, which eliminates sharp fret edges and provides for a smooth neck and easier playability.<br /><br />Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options.",
"value":"1,215.36",
"priceMin":"1,215.36",
"priceMax":"1,999.00",
"priceSavingsMaxPrice":"0.00",
"priceSavingsMaxPercent":"0",
"inventory":"0",
"brand":"Gibson",
"reviewStarImageUrl": "http://static.musiciansfriend.com/img/brand/mf/cmn/Sprit-Sm-Stars.png",
"reviewStarRating":"5.0",
"reviewStarRatingInteger":"10",
"reviewHowManyReviews":"17",
"usedOrNew":"new",
"discontinued":"1",
"onOrder":"0",
"clearance":"0",
"canBeSold":"0",
"accessoryCategories":"site1LFMIC,site1HBA,site1LAAA",
"stickerText": "Choose Yours!",
"priceVisibility": "1"}